Suggested in cases of valvular heart disease specifically involving the aortic valve, Transcatheter Aortic Valvular Replacement (TAVR) is considered the definitive treatment of aortic stenosis (narrowing), or aortic regurgitation (leakage). The aortic valve sits between the left side of your heart and the aorta which supplies blood to the rest of your body. In case the valve is not functioning properly, you might have a problem pumping blood out of your heart. In cases of aortic stenosis, where the aortic valve is narrowed and blood fails to leave the heart, or aortic regurgitation where blood leaks back into the heart after being pumped out, we would suggest valve replacement surgery or TAVR.
There are different ways to deliver the new valve into the heart and a transcatheter aortic valvular replacement involves using a catheter to reach the aortic valve. Our trained cardiologists will insert a sterilized hollow tube (a catheter) into your blood vessels, most commonly in the groin. This tube is then threaded up to the heart, all done while being guided by x-rays. When it reaches the aorta, the balloon which is attached to the catheter is inflated and a valve is placed in the aortic valve. The balloon is then deflated and removed while the new valve is secured in its place.